Home Inspections

Jerome Village is looking to become the premier new community in Ohio. Located near Plain City, Ohio Jerome Village will have a blend of residential, commercial, retail, and recreational spaces. This will be an inclusive community, with housing, schools, a community center, shops, swimming pool, and a retirement village. These are planned to be within reasonable walking distance to each other. With new homes comes the need for home inspections.

As with new communities there will be lots of activity and especially in the area of construction. Along with new homes comes home inspections. Many people may not realize that home inspectors are also hired to inspect new homes. The inspections are not done for only when the homes are fully completed. New homes are also inspected at various steps of the construction process. These are called phase inspections.

Once a home is finished and drywall installed nearly all of the structural components such as wall studs, headers and wall insulation is no longer visible. One phase inspection that is important to do occurs immediately before the drywall is hung. This way the new home owner can know that the insulation is installed and installed correctly. Incorrectly installed insulation can result in serious moisture issues.

I was informed that the builder of these homes is a quality builder. Even with that taken into account new construction still need to have inspections performed. No matter who the general contractor is the subcontractors are the ones who do the work and they can make errors or have bad days. This can be more likely when homes are built rapidly in one area.

After a home is completed it is still important to have the home inspected by an independent home inspector to help ensure that the home being purchased is of the quality and condition expected in a new home. As I have done inspections of new homes I have found a section of support beam removed, ridge vents damaged, end caps missing and insulation not as thick as was desired.

One area that tends to lack the quality expected in a new home is the roofs. Perhaps it is because builders and subcontractors do not believe that someone will actually climb on and check the work done up there. Damaged shingles and ridge vents are the most common finds. Torn rubber boot flashings and non recommended spacing between the roof and siding are other finds.

When looking for a Jerome Village home inspector, be certain to locate an inspector that has been in business for several years and is fully insured with errors and omissions insurance, referred to as E&O insurance. Having this displays a level of professionalism. There are a lot of part time inspectors so be careful who you hire, look for a full time home inspector.